Method of expression, recording, reproduction, and communication of computer object using color, apparatus for recording and/or reproduction, recording medium, and method of preparation of code

ABSTRACT

A computer object such as text, graphics, mathematical formulas, images, audio, and other data and information handled inside a computer or through a computer in industry or daily life etc. is expressed, recorded, reproduced, and transmitted using color or a color numerical value. Color is used as a medium for expressing data or information taking note of the characteristics of color. This helps counter the ballooning amount of recording. Color can also be used to prepare codes.

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 09/720,718 filed Dec. 28,2000, which claims the benefit of PCT/JP00/03315 filed May 24, 2000. Theentire disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method of expression, recording orstorage, reproduction, and communication, using color, foralphanumerics, graphics, mathematical formulas, images, sound, and otherdata or information handled involving a computer in industry, dailylife, etc., an apparatus for recording and/or reproduction, a recordingmedium using color, and a method of preparation of a code using color.

As conventional methods for recording various types of information, themethod of direct recording on paper, the method of recording on floppydisks, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs),and other recording media involving computers, etc. are known. Recently,along with the spread of the computer, much use has particularly beenmade of such recording media.

As a method of recording several types of information on a printedcircuit board, on the other hand, there is the method of displaying dotsat suitable locations on the printed circuit board and recording smallamounts of information by the combination of these dots. Other methodsof recording information on printed circuit boards include the methodusing bar codes, the method of stamping printed circuit boards with dotor check patterns, and the method of combining these. In these cases,the recorded information is expressed by images comprised of the dots,lines, patterns, or combinations of the same or the positions of thedots, lines, etc.

Along with the spread of the computer, the main method for recordinginformation has become recording information on recording mediaconverted to a binary format. Great strides have been made in suchrecording media along with the rapid advances made in computer hardwareand software. The method of recording information on a recording mediumis now basically to link 1 bit of information with the smallestrecording unit on the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “1dot”, the location where the smallest recording unit is recorded alsobeing referred to as a “dot”). With the skyrocketing amount ofinformation for recording in recent years, therefore, the recordingcapacity of recording media is rapidly being used up.

The main object of the present invention, in view of the problem of thelimited recording capacity and taking note of the characteristic ofcolor, is to provide a method of expression of a computer object usingcolor as a medium for expressing data or information and linking thetype or difference of color printed on a dot with a plurality of dataetc, and thereby increasing the amount of information per dot to anamount more than 1 bit (for example, 2 bits, 8 bits, 16 bits, etc.) andthereby overcoming the limitation in the recording (or storage)capacity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofrecording, reproduction, and communication of a computer object usingthe method of expression of a computer object using color.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor recording and/or reproduction of a computer object comprised byusing the method of expression of a computer object using color.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for recording a large amount of data or information usinggeneral paper, plastic, or other inexpensive recording media.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recordingmedium using the method of recording data or information using color.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a methodof preparation of a code using recording of data or information usingcolor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus enabling transmission of a large amount of information byapplying the recording of data or information using color as explainedabove to a communications line and communications apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, the concepts of color, a color entity,computer object, etc. will be used in the following explanation.

Current computers can recognize over several million types of printablecolor. Therefore, the inventors propose the technical idea of usingcolor to express data or information.

Here, “color” in principle is a physical manifestation which an ordinaryperson can visually recognize under visible light. It further is assumedto include in concept a physical manifestation under light of afrequency other than visible light so as to include recognition by acomputer.

A computer object is linked with each of the plurality of colors. Here,a “computer object” means an alphanumeric, symbol, graphic, mathematicalformula, image, sound, or other data or information (hereinafterreferred to as “data/information” in accordance with need) handledinside or through a computer. Such a computer object is recorded byprinting the corresponding color on a dot of the recording medium. Thatis, by recording color on a recording medium, it becomes possible tosimultaneously store the computer object. Here, the substance printedwith a dot of a recording medium using color as an attribute is referredto as a “color entity”.

As explained above, the computer object is recorded by the color of thecolor entity. To realize the above recording, the method of expressionof the computer object using color becomes important. The presentinvention proposes such a method of expression of a computer objectusing color. Various methods of recording (storage), reproduction, andcommunications are realized according to the present invention based onthis method of expression of a computer object. Further, an apparatusfor recording and/or reproduction using the method of expression of acomputer object is proposed according to the present invention. Further,a method of preparation of a code using the method of expression of acomputer object is proposed according to the present invention.

Further, when recording data/information on a medium on which colorcannot be directly recorded (for example, a computer disk) or incommunication, the computer object is transmitted using a colornumerical value corresponding to the color.

Based on the above idea, color is linked with a computer object and aplurality of computer objects are expressed by different colors.

As explained above, a different color is linked with each of theplurality of computer objects handled inside a computer or through acomputer. This linked relation between a color and computer object willbe referred to as a “color-object relation”. A substance having as anattribute the color printed on one or more dots (hereinafter referred toas “color dots”) of a recording medium (that is, a color entity) maytherefore be used to express a corresponding computer object. Arecording medium on which a color entity expressing a computer object isrecorded may be made of, for example, paper, plastic, glass, wood,ceramic, a sheet, liquid crystal panel, a medium able to be recordedwith color, and combinations of the same.

Using the above method of expression (or method of recording) of acomputer object according to the present invention, an apparatus forrecording a computer object expressed using color may be constructed.This recording apparatus may include a CPU (central processing unit),color output device, and storage storing the necessary data or program(main storage or auxiliary storage). This apparatus for recording acomputer object converts the computer object to a color for recording.That is, in the apparatus for recording a computer object, the CPUconverts a computer object to a color based on a predeterminedcolor-object relation when there is a command to record a certaincomputer object. Further, the CPU sends a color output instruction tothe color output device. The color output device outputs and records thecolor entity on a recording medium in accordance with this color outputinstruction. The color output device is a color printer etc.

Using the above method of expression (or method of reproduction) of acomputer object according to the present invention, an apparatus forreproduction of a color object expressed using color may be constructed.This reproduction apparatus includes a CPU, color input device, andstorage for storing the necessary data or program. The apparatus forreproduction of a computer object converts color to a computer objectfor reproduction. That is, in the apparatus for reproduction of acomputer object, the color input device reads the color of a color doton the recording medium. The color input device includes a CCD camera,camera scanner, etc. The CPU regenerates the computer object from theinput color based on the color-object relation. Further, the CPUdisplays the regenerated computer object, outputs it as sound, outputsit as an image, prints it, stores it, or transmits it.

It is also possible to combine an apparatus for recording and anapparatus for reproducing a computer object to realize an apparatus forrecording and reproducing a computer object.

In the above configuration, instead of color, it is also possible tolink a different numerical value (this numerical value being referred toas a “color numerical value”) with each computer object (therelationship of the linked color numerical values and computer objectsbeing referred to as “color numerical value-object relation”) and usethis to express a computer object.

It is also possible to assign a color to a color numerical value (therelation between colors and color numerical values being referred to asa “color-color numerical value relation”) and use both of the colornumerical value-object relation and color-color numerical value relationto link a computer object with a color.

When converting a computer object to a color or converting a color to acomputer object, it is also possible to construct a recording apparatusor a reproduction apparatus using both the color-color numerical valuerelation and the color numerical value-object relation instead of thecolor-object relation.

It is further possible to use the corresponding color numerical valuerather than the color and transmit the same over a network or transmitthe same among a plurality of computers by transfer by a data storagemedium and to use the received color numerical value to regenerate thecomputer object in accordance with need using the color numericalvalue-object relation and thereby keep from handling a computer objectitself on a communications path or data transfer path.

In the method of expression, method of recording, etc. of the computerobject and recording apparatus etc., the method of setting a colornumerical value is preferably to determine a maximum allowable range ofnumber of elements of a color numerical value taking into considerationthe reproducibility of color and set a color numerical value within thatrange.

The method of establishing a plurality of computer object groups,preparing color numerical value-object relations having differentcorrespondences for each, and arranging all of the computer objectshandled in the plurality of computer object groups has been proposed. Atthis time, to identify a computer object group, it is sufficient toassign a color numerical value (inevitably a color) to each group. Thismethod is useful for facilitating the arrangement of computer objectsand effective when the number of computer objects handled exceeds themaximum allowable range of the number of elements. of the colornumerical value.

When referring to the plurality of computer object groups as firsthierarchal groups and the number of the first hierarchal groups becomeslarger, the first hierarchal groups are divided to create a plurality ofsecond hierarchal groups and the first hierarchal groups are included inthe second hierarchal groups. Further, similarly, the method ofpreparing a third hierarchy, fourth hierarchy, and the like and linkinga color numerical value with each of these hierarchies of groups isproposed. Due to this, it becomes possible to more flexibly arrangecomputer objects and link any number of computer objects, no matter howmany, to a finite number of colors.

When converting a computer object to a color numerical value, convertingthe color numerical value to a color, and converting the color to acomputer object, the color numerical value-object relation, color-colornumerical value relation, and color-object relation (these three typesof relations relating to a computer object meeting these conditionsbeing referred to all together as the “cyclic object relation”) are setso that a computer object after conversion becomes the same as thecomputer object before conversion.

The method is also proposed of, when converting a computer object tocolor or a color numerical value and transmitting, transferring, orrecording (storing) the same, simultaneously transmitting, transferring,and recording (storing) the one or more correspondences of the cyclicobject relation required for regeneration of the computer object so thateven when the receiving side does not have the relation for regenerationof the computer object, the received color numerical value can beregenerated to the computer object.

In the method of expression of a computer object according to thepresent invention, an elemental computer object enabling expression ofall sorts of computer objects included in any hierarchy of group bycombinations thereof (for example, an alphanumeric or Japanese characterdefined by the JIS code or something used in common as an element of acomputer object inside a computer group, such a computer object beingcalled a “common object”) are set. It is possible to express a series ofcomputer objects by a common object.

A color-object relation, color numerical value-object relation, andcolor-color numerical value relation are set among the common objectsand colors and color numerical values corresponding to the same (thesebeing called “common colors” and “common color numerical values”) (theserelation relating to common objects being together called “common objectrelations”). This enables a series of computer objects to betransmitted, transferred, recorded, and regenerated (reproduced) usingonly a common color numerical value or common color.

The method has also been proposed of simultaneously adding a commonobject relation when transmitting, transferring, and recording acomputer object using a common color or common color numerical value.

The cyclic object relations include common object relations. Using this,a series of computer objects may be converted to color numerical valuesor colors and transmitted, transferred, recorded (stored), andregenerated (reproduced).

The method of recording a computer object and recording apparatusthereof assigns addresses to the recording surface of the recordingmedium for the output of the color dots and arranges the colors dots inaccordance with those addresses.

In the above, it is preferably made possible to designate the order ofoutput and input of color dots by addresses.

In the method of reproduction of a computer object or reproductionapparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to make theshape of the recording medium or the shape of the arrangement of colordots for output on the same a disk shape, square shape, or otherpolygonal shape or any other shape. The recording medium may be made anycomposition and the color dot output surface of the storage medium maybe made rotatable or movable in any direction. Further, the color entityoutput surface of the storage medium may be made movable or stoppable.Further, the recording medium may be made detachable or may be held toenable driving, rotation, stopping, etc. Further, the holder of therecording medium may be made rotatable and the color dots may be madeinputtable or outputtable along with rotation of the holder.

The above recording medium may be prevented from discoloration of thecolor entity by a coating etc.

The linkage in the color-object relation may be based on thecommunications line and communications apparatus.

The color dots may be arranged by dividing the color dot output surface(display surface) of the recording medium into a control area, storagearea, security area, and other areas. The areas may be freely set up.

The above configuration enables color dot data to be transmitted two wayand enables recording of data relating to the color dots or checking andupdating of the content of transmission.

In the transmission, transfer, recording, and reproduction of a computerobject using the method of recording, method of reproduction, recordingapparatus, reproduction apparatus, and recording/reproduction apparatusof a computer object according to the present invention, all or aspecific part of the series of input colors or color numerical valuesmay be used to judge if acceptance is possible and perform differentprocessing when acceptance is not possible and when acceptance ispossible (this processing is referred to as a “color filter”).

The above color filter may be provided with a list of colors or colornumerical values (this list called a “filter correspondence table”) andcompare an input color or color numerical value against the filtercorrespondence table to judge whether acceptance is possible.

The above color filter may function to display data for deciding onprocessing when judging whether acceptance is possible for a series ofcolors or color numerical values or to return data by transmission,transfer, and reproduction or other perform other processing.

The method and apparatus for recording a computer object according tothe present invention may also comprise assigning a specific function toone or more specific colors based on a color-object relation orindependent from a color-object relation to give a function ofdesignating a computer object group hierarchy, a function of judgementand checking before converting a color entity to a computer object, asecurity function, etc.

The method may further comprise using a specific color for correcting achange in color over time or correcting a difference in characteristicsof input or output of color between color input/output devices. Forexample, it is possible to assign one or more color information to onespecific color and output the designated plurality of colors after acolor entity as color entities. By doing this, the side receiving thecolor entity as input can read one or more corrective color entitiesfrom information designated by a specific color and correct thedifference in color due to aging or differences in hardware by thedifference in color information designated for the read color andspecific color.

In the above explanation, only color was used as the attribute of acolor entity, but it is also possible to use attributes other thancolor. That is, it is possible to provide a method of expression of acomputer object, method of recording, method of reproduction, method ofcommunication, recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, or recordingand reproduction apparatus linking one or more attributes selected fromthe group of shapes of circles, squares, bars, and other graphics orother printable characteristics in addition to color as attributes ofcolor entities (these attributes being referred to as “general colors”).When using such composite attributes, color numerical values may beassigned and cyclic object relations established.

It is also possible to mix on a single recording medium (for example,paper) a recording of computer objects by color entities or colornumerical values and a recording of computer objects not based on thesame, for example, ordinary alphanumerics etc.

Further, it is also possible to record a single computer object using aplurality of color dots arranged continuously or in any pattern on arecording medium. By establishing a color-object relation or acolor-color numerical value relation linking one computer object orcolor numerical value to a combination of a plurality of differentgeneral colors, it becomes possible to record one computer object for aplurality of color dots arranged continuously or in any pattern on arecording medium.

In some cases, there are color entities or color numerical values outputin advance or for which output is determined and computer objects arelinked with these colors or color numerical values later. In this case,a new color-object relation or color numerical value-object relation maybe established and the relation used at the time of input of colors orcolor numerical values.

The following effects are obtained by the method and apparatus forexpressing a computer object and recording a computer object using acolor or a color entity having a general color as an attribute.

It is possible to make the recording capacity of each dot one of aplurality of dots up to the limit of the resolution and precision ofprinting and reading of color and to thereby increase the recordingcapacity (storage capacity). It is possible to link various types ofinformation such as alphanumerics, symbols, graphics, mathematicalformulas, images, and audio with each dot. A considerable amount ofinformation can therefore be recorded and stored in a handy space. Theavailable selection of recording media also becomes broader and therecording media become inexpensive. It further becomes possible tosimplify the hardware and system for recording and reproduction.Further, recording by a combination of colors facilitates the recordingand control of a large amount of information. There is an equivalentaction of compression of data in the transfer and transmission ofinformation and the storage of books and other publications. Sinceinformation can be recorded on paper etc. by the use of a mountingfixture, entertainment software and software for daily life can beprepared simply and inexpensively. Therefore, it is possible to replaceexpensive large capacity storage devices. At the same time, theinvention is environmentally friendly and energy saving in action.

The above method of expression of a computer object, method ofrecording, method of reproduction, and method of communication can befurther developed and used as a method of preparing a code. Byexpressing information by colors or color numerical values andtransmitting information as color numerical values, it becomes possibleto transmit a large amount of information, achieve the function of acode, and increase the security of the information in the middle oftransmission. In preparing the codes, the information is expressed byassigning addresses to the recording surface of the recording medium onwhich the color is printed and expressing the information with the colorby designating an order of output and input of color entities by theaddresses.

Since ordinary symbols, colors and color numerical values areselectively used, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of dots used.Use of the correspondence table enables the colors and color numericalvalues transmitted and transferred for computer objects to be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a computer system towhich the method of the present invention for expressing a computerobject using color is applied and shows the relationship between a colorentity and recording of a display object;

FIG. 2 is a view of an example of the relationship between color and acomputer object by a correspondence table;

FIG. 3 is a view of an example of the relationship between color and acolor numerical value by a correspondence table;

FIG. 4 is a view of an example of the relationship between a colornumerical value and object by a correspondence table;

FIG. 5 is a view of a plurality of correspondence tables of a colornumerical values and object;

FIG. 6A is a view of the cyclic relations of a computer object, colornumerical value, and color;

FIG. 6B is a view of a pair (or set) relation including any twocomponents in the cyclic relations of a computer object, color numericalvalue, and color;

FIG. 6C is a view of the relation between two computers when utilizingthe colors as the codes in sending/receiving information between the twocomputers;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of the routine for input andoutput of a computer object;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the configuration for selection by a colorfilter;

FIG. 9 is a view of an example of a square recording media displaying acolor entity on one surface and display elements;

FIG. 10 is a view of an example of a circular recording mediumdisplaying a color entity on one surface and display elements;

FIG. 11 is a conceptual view of an example of the method of arrangementof display elements on a circular recording medium;

FIG. 12 is a view of another example of the method of arrangement ofdisplay elements on a circular recording medium and shows assignmentareas;

FIG. 13 is a view of an example of the display of a recording mediumdisplaying a color entity;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a recording medium having a first example of aconfiguration for preventing discoloration of a color entity;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a recording medium having a second example ofa configuration for preventing discoloration of a color entity.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, an explanation will be given of embodiments of the presentinvention based on the attached drawings. The content of the presentinvention will be made clearer by this description.

FIG. 1 shows a basic embodiment of the present invention. The apparatusaccording to this embodiment (conceptually including all apparatuses forrecording and/or reproduction, that is, a recording apparatus,reproduction device, and recording and reproduction apparatus) shows anexample of the computer system to which the method according to thepresent invention for expressing a computer object using color isapplied. The block 10 shown by broken lines shows a computer. Thecomputer 10 is provided with an input device and output device (orinput/output device) explained later. The system based around thecomputer 10 realizes overall a specific function like for example aprinter.

The computer 10 is comprised of a CPU (central processing unit) 11, mainstorage 12, auxiliary storage 13, and input/output controller 14. Thecomputer 10 does not have to be a computer designed especially for thepresent invention. Further, the computer does not have to be a separate,independent unit. In the case of the present embodiment, for example,the computer 10 is built into a printer. Further, it is possible to givepart of the computer or MPU built into the printer the function of usingthe method of expression of a computer object using color according tothe present invention and thereby record or store, reproduce, transmit(transfer), or otherwise process a computer object by color. The CPU 11has the function of converting the computer object to color andoutputting it through the output device or conversely regenerate a colorread through the input device into a computer object. This function isrealized by providing the main storage 12 or auxiliary storage 13 with atable having the correspondence between a plurality of computer objectsand a plurality of colors and a program executing the conversion andinput/output processing while referring to the table. Instead of thecolors, it is also possible to use color numerical values correspondingto the colors. The auxiliary storage 13 stores the computer objects andstores the color-object relation (or alternatively the color-colornumerical value relation or color numerical value-object relation) as adata base or other similar format. The auxiliary storage 13 may be builtinto the computer 10 as illustrated or may be provided external to thecomputer 10. Further, the auxiliary storage 13 may be constructed to beoutside of the computer 10 and connected only at the time of use. Theinput/output controller 14 selects one of the plurality of input devicesand plurality of output devices connected to the computer 10 andcontrols the input/output processing of the same. Further, the computer10 is connected to another computer 16 through the input/outputcontroller 14 or through a communications device (includingcommunications line) 15. Therefore, the input/output controller 14 hasthe function of selecting the communication device 15 and communicatingwith the other computer 16 through the communication device inaccordance with an instruction for communication of the CPU 11. In FIG.1, the communication device 15 is shown conceptually by a line, butincludes a means having a communications function.

In the above, the transfer between the input/output controller 14 andany of the input device, output device, and communications device is notlimited in the type of connection such as direct connection orconnection through a WAN or LAN or the system of transmission such aswired, wireless, or infrared communications.

The computer 10 may be provided with various types of output devices andinput devices or input/output devices.

The output device connected to the computer 10 is for example a devicefor outputting the color entity, a device for outputting the colornumerical value, or a device for outputting a regenerated color object.As a device outputting a color entity, there are printers 21 (colorprinters), facsimiles 22, and color output devices included in otherdevices 23. These color entity output devices print the color entity ona recording medium based on an output instruction of the computer 10.Further, as the device for outputting the color numerical value, thereare a FDD or HDD 31, MOD 32, CD, LD, MD, DVD, SDVD 33, or storagedevices included in devices 23 other than the above. These colornumerical value output devices output color numerical values. Further,as devices for outputting regenerated computer objects, there are audioconverters 41, audio/video converters 42, etc. in addition to the aboveoutput devices. These computer object output devices output computerobjects converted from color entities or color numerical values inaccordance with the application or purpose.

In the above explanation of an output device, the example of varioustypes of output devices able to be connected to the computer 10 beingconnected was explained, but there is no need for all of the aboveoutput devices to be connected at the computer 10.

The input device connected to the computer 10 is for example a devicefor input of a color entity, a device for input of a color numericalvalue, or a device for input of a computer object to be recorded. As adevice for input of a color entity, there are a CCD camera 51, OCR 52,the above facsimile 22, and devices able to read color included in otherdevices 23. These devices read the color of the color entity and inputit to the computer 10. As the device for input of a color numericalvalue, there are the above-mentioned FDD and HDD 31, MOD 32, CD, LD, MD,DVD, and SDVD 33, or storage device included in devices 23 other thanthe above. These devices read the color numerical values and input themto the computer 10. As a device for inputting a computer object to berecorded, there are, in addition to the above input devices, an audioconverter 41 and audio/video converter 42. These devices read a computerobject to be recorded into the computer 10.

In the above, a recording medium 201 is arranged under the CCD camera51. The recording medium 201 is held horizontal by the holding device202. The holding device 202 is provided with a drive 203 for driving inthe horizontal direction. A display object, that is, the color entity204, is displayed on the recording medium 201. The color entity 204 iscaptured by the CCD camera 51. Note that the CCD camera 51 is providedwith a drive controller 205.

In FIG. 1, the recording medium 60 is shown for the above-mentionedoutput device, input device, and input/output device. As the recordingmedium 60, paper (ordinary paper, for example, drawings, books,magazines, newspaper, images, etc.) 61, plastic panel (for example,drawings, books, magazines, newspapers, images, etc.) 62, glass 63, woodpanel 64, speakers 65, sheets (for example, cards, negotiablesecurities, ID certificates, books, etc.) 66, liquid crystal panels (orPDPs, for example, drawings, books, magazines, newspapers, images, etc.)67, and other recording media similar to the same (other displayobjects, audio, and video) 68. These recording media record colorentities or color numerical values on their surfaces or inside them. InFIG. 1, the recorded color entity or color numerical value is shown as adisplay object 71 in the recording medium 60. The recording medium 60functions as a means for recording on its surface or internally adisplay object 71 by the write operation of the output device in thecase of the output device or functions as a means for reading thedisplay object 71 recorded on the surface or internally by the writeoperation by the input device in the case of the input device. Thecomputer 10 and recording medium 60 is linked by the interaction ofreading 73 through the input devices. The area 74 between the computer10 and recording medium 60 is an area where a relation is formed bywriting and reading. In an input/output device function as an outputdevice and input device like an FDD or HDD 31 or facsimile 22, bothwrite and read functions 75 are realized. Further, when using speakers65, the recording medium 60 is not written for output or read from forinput. An audio converter 41 is used.

The recording medium 60 may be used in not only the computer 10outputting data to the same, but also other computers having similarfunctions. This enables data to be transferred between computers.

The communications device 15 is a WAN ((including a wide area network orthe Internet) using a telephone line etc. or a LAN (local area network).Information on the computer object is transmitted as color numericalvalues or general data by these communication devices 15 with othercomputers 16 (or computer systems). In the communication by acommunication device 15, it is possible to use any communications path,communications system, or communications device. The present inventionis not limited in this respect.

The other computers 16 are not limited to any specific computers. Theyneed only be provided with all or part of the devices for recording(storing) and regenerating computer objects according to the presentinvention. In the computer 16, it is possible to convert data andinformation by the color entity or color numerical values according tothe present invention.

Next, the method of converting a computer object to a color entity orcolor numerical value and the method for conversely regenerating a colorentity or color numerical value to a computer object will be explained.

The color-object relation is used for converting a computer object to acolor. FIG. 2 shows a color-object correspondence table 100 showing anexample of the color-object relation and is expressed in the form of atable used specifically in a computer 10. The left column 100 a of thecolor-object correspondence table 100 lists the plurality of differentcolors used, while the right column 110 b lists the computer objectslinked with these colors. In this example, the colors RED 1, RED 2,ORANGE 1, ORANGE 2, and ORANGE 3 show different colors. Linked with thecolors RED 1, RED 2, ORANGE 1, ORANGE 2, and ORANGE 3 are for examplethe letter “T”, the Sino-Japanese character “TANI”, the string ofSino-Japanese characters “Tani Electric Industry Co., Ltd.”, a designdrawing of a cream solder printer identified by the drawing no.“ABC002”, and software used in the cream solder printer identified bythe code “DEF876”.

In the above color-object relation, there are limits to the resolutionof color able to be printed or read. The maximum resolution of color is65536 assuming a resolution corresponding to 16 bits or just under 17million assuming a resolution corresponding to 24 bits. On the otherhand, the number of computer objects processed by the computer 10 isgenerally larger than that. At this time, it is sufficient to divide allof the computer objects to be processed into a plurality of groups andto establish a separate color-object correspondence table for eachgroup. Naturally, in these plurality of color-object correspondencetables, the colors are common and only the corresponding computerobjects are different. At this time, colors indicating the groups arelinked with the color-object correspondence tables. When outputtingcolor entities, both a color showing a group and a separate colorshowing the computer object are output. In forming the groups, it ispreferable to include computer objects having a close relation andhaving a high possibility of being simultaneously used into one group asmuch as possible.

Further, the color-object relation can be divided into two types ofrelations of the color-color numerical value relation and colornumerical value-object relation by interposing the quantity called thecolor numerical value between the colors and computer objects. By doingthis, the handling in the computer 10 becomes easier. This will beexplained with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

FIG. 3 is a color-color numerical value correspondence table 101expressing the color-color numerical value relation in a tabular form,while FIG. 4 is a color numerical value-object correspondence tableexpressing the color numerical value-object relation in a tabular form.In FIG. 3, the colors of the left column 111 a are the same as thecolors of the left column 100 a explained in FIG. 2, while the computerobjects of the right column 102 of FIG. 4 are the same as the computerobjects of the right column 100 b of FIG. 2. It is possible to combinethe two correspondence tables by color numerical values present in boththe correspondence tables 101 and 102. In the color-color numericalvalue correspondence table 101, the color numerical values are shown inthe right column 101 b, while in the color numerical value-objectcorrespondence table 102, the color numerical values are shown in theleft column 102 a. The relation between colors and computer objectsobtained as a result of joining these correspondence tables 101 and 102is exactly the same as the relation shown in FIG. 2.

When there are a plurality of correspondence tables in FIG. 2, as shownin FIG. 5, it is sufficient to create a plurality of (in the illustratedexample, n number in general) color numerical value-objectcorrespondence tables 104-1 to 104-n for one color-color numerical valuecorrespondence table 103. At this time, colors are assigned to each ofthe color numerical value-object correspondence tables (1 to n) 104-1 to104-n.

If there are a large number of computer objects and the total number nof the groups expressed by the color numerical value-objectcorrespondence table (here referred to as “first hierarchal groups”)exceeds the above-mentioned maximum color resolution, or for conveniencein arrangement of the computer objects, the first hierarchal groups arefurther divided into groups (the groups of the first hierarchal groupsbeing referred to as “second hierarchal groups” and the number of firsthierarchal groups included in each of the second hierarchal groups arekept from exceeding the maximum color resolution. When the number ofcomputer objects becomes further higher, third and fourth hierarchiesmay be suitably created. In normal processing in the computer 10, theabove color numerical values are used. They are converted to colors onlywhen outputting them as color entities. Due to this, the processing inthe computer 10 becomes simpler. Further, when recording and outputtingdata and information on and from the recording medium in a form otherthan color entities or when transmitting them to another computer 16through the communications device 15, it is suitable to use colornumerical values.

FIG. 6A shows the relation among a computer object (O), a colornumerical value (N), and a color (C) of a color entity. As shown in FIG.6A, the three computer object 91, color numerical value 92, and colorentity color 93 are inter-convertible. The arrows 94, 95, and 96 in thefigure shows the inter-convertibilities. In the inter-convertiblerelations 94, 95, and 96, the inter-convertible relation by the arrow 95linking the computer object 91 and the color numerical value 92 is theabove-mentioned color numerical value-object relation, theinter-convertible relation by the arrow 94 linking the computer object91 and the color 93 is the above-mentioned color-object relation, andthe inter-convertible relation by the arrow 96 linking the colornumerical value 92 and the color 93 is the above-mentioned color-colornumerical value relation. The interrelation among the three is calledthe “cyclic object relation” here.

For the above-mentioned cyclic object relation, as shown in FIG. 6Bthree sets or pairs (a, b, c) can be made by forming a set (or pair)combining any two of the computer object (O), the color numerical value(N), and the color (C) of a color entity. The set a is one made by thecomputer object 91 and the color 93 based on the color-object relation94. The set b is one made by the computer object 91 and the colornumerical value 92 based on the color numerical value-object relation95. The set c is one made by the color numerical value 92 and the color93 based on the color-color numerical value relation 96.

When carrying out a communication for sending/receiving data between thecomputer 10 and the other computer 16 through the communication device15 as shown in FIG. 1, in order to utilize the color numerical value ascodes in sending/receiving the data, both of the computers 10 and 16must have the relations shown in FIG. 6C. Namely, in order that datatransmission from the computer 10 to the computer 16 through thecommunication device 15 should be carried out by means of the codesutilizing the color numerical values, both of the computers 10 and 16are necessary to have the above-mentioned set a and the same relationdefined in the conversion relation.

Further the above-mentioned relation shown in FIG. 6C is not limited toonly the relation between the computers 10 and 16, and is furtherapplicable to the relation between the computer 10 and each of theprinter 21 and the other devices 23 etc. being the output/input deviceconnecting to the computer 10 in the case of sending/receiving theinformation as codes between them.

Selecting any one of the sets a, b, and c so that the differentcomputers have the same conversion relation, and selecting combinationsof the sets or the configuration of the conversion relation based on thesets can be optional.

Further, in the communication or processing between the computers 10 and16, instead of the communication device 15, the other recording mediasuch as the FDD and HDD can be used. In this case, the above-mentionedconfiguration can be used similarly.

Next, an explanation will be given, referring to FIG. 7, of the routinein the computer 10 for converting and recording a computer object to acolor entity or color numerical value in format or transmitting it overa communications path and regenerating the same.

When the computer 10 is given one or more sets of data or information(data or information: alphanumerics, symbols, graphics, mathematicalformulas, images, audio, etc.) recorded on the recording medium 60, thecomputer 10 reads them by the above-mentioned input/output device 112.The data and information read by the computer 10 is shown as thecomputer object 113 in the computer 10. The computer object 113 iseither immediately processed or stored once in the auxiliary storage 13.The block 114 in the auxiliary storage 13 computer object shows thestate of storage.

Next, the CPU 11 converts the computer object 113 to a color numericalvalue 115. In the CPU 11, the color numerical value-object converter 116is realized based on a program stored in the above-mentioned mainstorage 12 (not shown in FIG. 7). The color numerical value-objectconverter 116 uses the color numerical value-object correspondence table102 stored in the auxiliary storage 13 to convert the computer objectread or stored in the auxiliary storage 13 to a color numerical value115. When recording data and information as a color numerical value orwhen transmitting information, the color numerical value 115 itself isoutput or transmitted through the input/output controller 14. That is,it is output through the input/output controller 14 and the datainput/output controller 117 as the recorded color numerical value 118and is output through the input/output controller 14 and informationcommunications unit 119 with another computer as the transmitted colornumerical value 120.

Further, when recording data and information as a color entity, thecolor-color numerical value converter 121 is realized in the CPU 11 by aprogram stored in the main storage 12. The color-color numerical valueconverter 121 uses the color-color numerical value correspondence table101 stored in the auxiliary storage 13 to convert the color numericalvalue 115 to color and outputs the color entity 123 through theinput/output controller 14 and color input/output device 122.

Conversely, when the color entity 123 is input, the color entity of eachcolor dot is read by the input device portion of the color input/outputdevice 122, for example, a CCD camera 51 or other input device, andinput as color through the input/output controller 14. The color-colornumerical value converter 12 in the CPU 11 converts the input color to acolor numerical value 115 using the color-color numerical valuecorrespondence table 101 of the auxiliary storage 13. The obtained colornumerical value 115 is further converted to a computer object 113 by thecolor numerical value-object converter 116 in the CPU 11 using the colornumerical value-object correspondence table 102 of the auxiliary storage13 and thereby regenerated. The regenerated computer object 113 isoutput from the output device 124 as the regenerated data/information115 and provided for use.

The color numerical value 115 converted from the color entity 123 may berecorded as it is or may be transmitted to another computer by acommunications means. Further, when regenerating a color numerical valuetransmitted from another computer by communications or a color numericalvalue input from the data input/output device 117 as data/information,the same type of routine is followed as when regenerating a colornumerical value converted from a color entity.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the input/output device 130 of thecomputer object 113 includes an input device 112 and output device 124as explained above, but the necessary one may be used in accordance withthe application. The input/output device and information communicationsunit 131 of the color entity or color numerical value include the colorinput/output device 122, data input/output device 117, and informationcommunication unit 119 with another computer. The necessary one can beused in accordance with the application.

Next, an explanation will be given of the configuration relating to“selection” referring to FIG. 8. Here, “selection” means processing fornot transmitting or not receiving unnecessary data through the datainput/output device or communications device (including communicationsline). In this selection, as shown in FIG. 8, a filter 141 called acolor filter is provided in the CPU 11. FIG. 8 is a view showing theportion relating to the color filter in FIG. 7. The portion of thefunctions shown in FIG. 7 is configured as required. Therefore, in FIG.8, elements substantially the same as elements shown in FIG. 7 areassigned the same references.

The filter 141 shown in FIG. 8 selects the data input and output as thecolor numerical values 118 through the data input/output device 117 atthe time of input and output of data with the outside based on thefilter correspondence table 142 stored in advance in the auxiliarystorage 13. The filter correspondence table 142 stores the colornumerical values which can be received and other data. When a series ofcolor numerical value data are input to the CPU 11 from the outside, thefilter 141 refers to the filter correspondence table 142. When includinga color numerical value not present in the filter correspondence table142, it judges the series of color numerical values to be invalid anddoes not perform processing for conversion to a computer object orcolor. Further, it is possible to insert color numerical values whichcannot be received in the filter correspondence table 142. In this case,conversely from the above, the filter 141 judges the series to beinvalid when including a color numerical value included in the filtercorrespondence table. Further the filter correspondence table 142 mayinclude both possible color numerical values and impossible colornumerical values. By using a filter correspondence table having thisconfiguration, invalid data can be eliminated when unnecessary data ismixed in or data is modified on the communications path, input/outputpath, or other paths.

In one computer object group or between a plurality of computer objectgroups belonging to a higher hierarchy computer object group, theindividual items, content, properties, amounts, sizes, and otherattributes are common. Further, it is possible to designate the samecomputer object as a “common object”. By using a common object toexpress a computer object, it is possible to express a computer objectmore simply. At this time, the color or color numerical valuecorresponding to the common object are determined as a “common color”and “common color numerical value”. The above-mentioned cyclic relationis defined between them. Based on the cyclic relation, the commonobjects, common colors, common color numerical values are handledinter-converted.

Next, the recording medium will be explained. The recording medium willbe explained as the recording medium 60 in FIG. 1. As an example of therecording medium 60, paper 61, plastic 62, glass 63, wood 64, etc. maybe mentioned. The recording medium can take any shape, for example, asquare shape or circular shape. FIG. 9 shows a square shaped recordingmedium 151, while FIG. 10 shows a circular shaped recording medium 152.The recording surfaces of the recording media 151 and 152 havepluralities (large numbers) of color entities 161 arranged on them. Asthe method of arrangement of color entities 161, arrangement in verticaland horizontal lines is the general practice in the case of the squareshaped recording medium 151 and arrangement in a spiral array 162 asshown in FIG. 11 or in concentric circles (or concentric ellipses) asshown in FIG. 12 the case of the circular shaped recording medium 152.It is possible to select the shape of the recording medium or the methodof arrangement of color entities in accordance with the characteristicsof the recording medium or input/output device used.

One recording surface of the recording medium can be used divided intoseveral areas in accordance with the objective. For example, therecording media 151 and 152 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 12 are divided intothe control areas 81, storage areas 82, and security areas 83. Further,in the recording medium 152 shown in FIG. 12, an auxiliary area 84 isprovided at the center portion in addition to these three areas.

In the above the control area 81 is an area giving control informationfor enabling information to be transmitted with another computer usingthe recording medium alone or a telephone line or other communicationsline. For example, when there are a plurality of color-object relationsor color numerical value-object relations and a plurality ofhierarchies, the information of the hierarchies or control informationon what color numerical value-object relation is used for the data isstored in this control area 81. The storage area 82 is an area recordingthe color entities corresponding to the computer objects. The securityarea 83 stores security information for simple and easy recording andreproduction and avoiding replication. This functions to prevent anunauthorized person from reading and replicating the color entities. Theauxiliary area 84 is an area storing the information required forrecording, reproduction, input/output, etc. of color entities. All ofthese areas basically store information based on the color entities.What meaning they are given is determined with each time of use.

FIG. 13 shows the state of color entities on a recording medium. In FIG.13, a square recording medium 171 is shown. The dot array shows anexample of arrangement on vertical and horizontal lines. Individual dotsare shown printed with color entities by circle marks either hollow orcontaining numbers. The large number of squares 172 drawn on the surfaceof the recording medium 171 are divided into several portions by theone-dot chain lines 173 to show the different states of color entities.The portion shown by 174 is comprised by a hollow circle mark. Thiscircle mark is equivalent to the state where there is no correspondencewith a computer object and a color entity is not printed and shows theposition of a dot in which a color entity is arranged. Circle marks withnumbers (circle 1, circle 2, etc.) show color entities linked withcomputer objects, that is, specifically showing some sort of computerobject. 1, 2, 3 . . . show the normal order of arrangement ofinformation. In the portion shown by 175, the color entities arearranged in their inherent order. In this case, a series of meaningfulinformation is obtained if reading the color entities in the order oftheir arrangement. The portion shown by 176 is an example of anarrangement different from the inherent order of information. Theinformation on the arrangement is provided in the above-mentionedsecurity area 83. When reading color entities arranged as in portion176, first the color of the color entities is input in the order ofarrangement, then the arrangement order information of the security area83 is used to rearrange the order and thereby regenerate the originalcomputer object. Here, the arrangement order information stored in thesecurity area 83 is not limited to information directly indicating thearrangement of the color entities. The information may also be given asa color object and expressed as a color object. By arranging entities asshown in the portion 176, a person not given the arrangement orderinformation cannot regenerate the computer object from the color entityand therefore the same action is given as with encoding information.

The portion shown by 177 is an example of a combination of an attributeother than color with the color entities. The black triangle mark 178etc. has a shape or other attribute in addition to the color attribute.By combining a plurality of attributes and colors in this way, itbecomes possible to increase the amount of information which can beexpressed by 1 dot.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are side views of recording media showing examplesof method for preventing discoloration of color entities. In the exampleshown in FIG. 14, the entire surface of the recording medium 181 onwhich the color entity is printed is provided with a discolorationprevention film 182. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the discolorationprevention film is provided only on the portion of the surface of therecording medium 181 printed with the color entity.

The embodiments explained with reference to the drawings are merelyexamples. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments andmay be modified in any manner within the scope of the invention.

As clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention,there are the following effects since one color is assigned to eachcomputer object and that color used to record the computer object. It ispossible to record more than 1 bit of data for the 1 dot of the minimumunit of recording and possible to easily record a large amount ofinformation. As the recording medium, it is possible to use paper oranother inexpensive medium. Therefore, the invention is superior ineconomy. It is also possible to reduce the space for recording orstorage. Storage of paper books etc. therefore becomes easy. In themusic, image, video, and other entertainment fields, data can berecorded and reproduced extremely inexpensively. It becomes possible torecord data and information cheaply and simply per unit space. There isthe advantage of a large effect of storage and compression ofinformation and data. Replacement of expensive storage devices becomesinexpensive and simple as well. The multiplexing and hierarching of thecolor-object relation also give rise to an effect of data compression.Further, information cannot be extracted without the correspondencetables, so there is the effect of copyright protection of the recordingmedium itself. By using this recording medium, use as an externalstorage of a computer also becomes possible. The invention enablestransmission of a large amount of information to a large number ofreceivers and free selection of information and reduces the materialsent. There is also a large effect of reduction of the amount of dotsused due to selective use of ordinary symbols and colors and colornumerical values. By using a correspondence table, there is the largeeffect of reduction of the colors and color numerical values transferredand transmitted compared with a computer object. There is therefore theadvantage of encoding from the viewpoint of protection of data.

CAPABILITY OF UTILIZATION IN INDUSTRY

As explained above, the present invention expresses a computer objectusing color, records, reproduces, transmits, and records large amountsof information by color, and uses an inexpensive recording medium so ismore economical.

1. A method of recording a computer object by a computer handling aplurality of computer objects, comprising: converting a computer objectto a color based on a predetermined correspondence between colors andcomputer objects when recording a computer object, wherein thepredetermined correspondence between the colors and the computer objectsincludes a correspondence of the colors and color numerical values and acorrespondence of the color numerical values and the computer objects;recording a color entity on a recording medium; and establishing amaximum allowable range of number of elements of the color numericalvalues considering the reproducibility of the colors and setting colornumerical values within that range.
 2. A method of recording a computerobject by a computer handling a plurality of computer objects,comprising: converting a computer object to a color based on apredetermined correspondence between colors and computer objects whenrecording a computer object; recording a color entity on a recordingmedium; and for output of the color entities, assigning addresses to arecording surface of the recording medium and arranging color dots inaccordance with those addresses.
 3. A method of recording a computerobject as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: designating an orderof output and input of color entities by addresses.
 4. A method ofrecording a computer object as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:for arrangement of the color dots, dividing a recording output surfaceof the recording medium into a control area, storage area, securityarea, and other areas and enabling these areas to be freely arranged. 5.A method of recording a computer object as set forth in claim 2, furthercomprising: using a correspondence of colors and color numerical valuesand a correspondence of color numerical values and computer objects whenconverting the color or when converting the color to the computerobject.
 6. An apparatus for recording a computer object provided in acomputer handling a plurality of computer objects, comprising: aprocessor for converting a computer object to a color based on apredetermined correspondence of colors and computer objects and issuinga color output instruction when there is a command for recording acomputer object from among the plurality of computer objects; and acolor output device for recording a color entity on a recording mediumin accordance with the color output instruction, and for output of thecolor entities, assigning addresses to a recording surface of arecording medium and arranging color dots in accordance with thoseaddresses.
 7. An apparatus for recording a computer object as set forthin claim 6, further comprising: using a correspondence of colors andcolor numerical values and a correspondence of color numerical valuesand computer objects when converting the computer object to the color orwhen converting the color to the computer object.
 8. An apparatus forrecording and reproducing a computer object provided in a computerhandling a plurality of computer objects, comprising: a color inputdevice for reading a color of a color dot on a recording medium andinputting it to the computer; a processor for converting a computerobject to a color based on a predetermined correspondence of colors andcomputer objects and issuing a color output instruction or regeneratinga computer object based on the correspondence of colors and computerobjects when there is a command for recording a certain computer objectamong a plurality of computer objects; a color output device forrecording a color entity on the recording medium in accordance with thecolor output instruction, and for output of the color entities,assigning addresses to a recording surface of a recording medium andarranging color dots in accordance with those addresses; and an outputdevice for outputting the regenerated computer object and both recordingand reproducing the computer object.
 9. An apparatus for recording andreproducing a computer object as set forth in claim 8, furthercomprising: using a correspondence of colors and color numerical valuesand a correspondence of color numerical values and computer objects whenconverting the computer object to the color or when converting the colorto the computer object.